How to Sleep with Wet Hair Without Damaging it

By: | Last Updated: April 28, 2020

We’ve all experienced having  to take a shower before going to bed. Letting the water run over our heads can feel so amazing. However, more often than not, we lack the time and energy  to dry the hair properly before going to sleep.

Besides, who enjoy spending all that time blow drying the hair, only to mess it up while sleeping? You dream that you wake up to meet an amazing bed tousled hair, but in reality, you wake up to a nightmare with frizzy, flat or crimped hair that takes ages to detangle. 

Alas! there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Though sleeping with wet hair is often thought to automatically translate into waking up to bad hair, there are some tricks that can make the opposite happen. 

With these tricks, you can protect your hair from frizz and breakage, making sleeping with wet hair a doable reality. In fact, these tricks will ensure that you wake up with your hair looking splendid. 

If you’ve ever asked questions such as, is it actually possible to sleep with wet hair without getting the hair damaged? Or if you’ve once attempted to sleep with wet hair only to wake up with a terrible case of bed hair, then this article is for you. 

Keep scrolling to read about some of my go-to tips on sleeping with wet hair and not damaging it. 

1. Make sure hair is NOT dripping wet. 

Imagine sleeping with hair that is sopping wet. You’ll probably be unable to sleep as the mattress and sheets will be ruined. Slightly damp hair is the better option. So, you can allow your hair to air-dry for a few  minutes before jumping to bed, or you can towel dry hair. 

You can’t sleep on totally wet hair.

– Creighton Bowman, celebrity hairstylist (source)

Products absorb better on damp hair, and it helps in preventing damage to the hair as sopping wet hair is fragile and can break easily. 

Also, you need to apply the right hair products before  going to sleep. It is important to apply a leave-in conditioner as well as a protection spray.  

From your shampoo to your spray and leave-in conditioner, everything should be of high-quality as it’ll make it better for you to sleep without the fear of damaging your hair. 

What to Do with Wet Hair after Shower – Curling Diva

2. Straight Hair

If you have straight hair, and you want to sleep with wet hair without waking up to a nest, then you should first apply a lightweight styling cream to damp hair. After which you can comb through the hair gently. It is better to use a soft brush or comb on your wet hair. This will enable the even distribution of natural oils so your hair is less frizzy and shiny. 

If you want to wake up to light waves, then you should try braiding the hair. To braid, part your hair into sections gently, and create about three strands of braids. Use an elastic or a scrunchie in holding the braids. 

Check out: Hairstyles To Sleep In With Wet Hair

3. Plopping hair with a microfiber towel

Yes, this is another unique way of taking care of your wet hair to avoid breakage. You simply have to take all of the wet hair, flip it over and pile it on the crown of your head, then you can tightly wrap it in a microfiber towel. 

All you’ll need to do the next morning is release the hair, and you’ll be good to go. 

4. For naturally curly hair, apply hydrating cream.

If your hair is curly, then it is important to apply good products to damp hair before sleeping to give it definition and moisture. Apply a high-quality leave-in conditioner, mousse and styling cream from the roots to the ends of the hair to ensure that the curls don’t get too soft, and that they don’t flatten as you sleep. 

Also, if you can apply a hydrating moisturizing cream from the middle of your curls to the ends.

 Finally, you can pineapple all the curls before going to bed. This style is similar to plopping. Pile all your curls to the top of your head, and tie it with a satin scrunchie. 

It is crucial to use a satin scrunchie as any other material can give you hair creases the next morning. 

How to style wet hair in a hurry – Curling Diva

READ: 4 Quick Hairstyles for Wet Hair in the Morning

5. Sleep on a Satin or Silk Pillowcase

Apart from the glam that this pillowcase can add to your bedroom, a satin or silk fabric will allow your hair to freely glide around as you sleep. 

This means that you won’t experience hair cuticle damage or frizz. If you have straight hair, you can simply place your hair over your head so that it hangs off the pillowcase edge.

With this technique, your hair can dry as you sleep without creating creases. For wavy or curly hair, you can simply apply a curl cream, cover your hair with a silk or satin bonnet, and wake up with perfectly formed curls. 

6. For Greasy Hair, tie it up. 

Have you slept with wet hair before only to wake up with hair that feels greasy, even after washing? If yes, you don’t have to panic as there are other ladies who go through this.

 This doesn’t mean that you can never sleep with wet hair again, you just have to know the correct way of doing so. The first thing you should do is get a shampoo of high quality. 

Ensure that you don’t use just any hair conditioner you see, the conditioner you apply should be specifically for greasy hair. Then, avoid wearing your hair down when you go to bed. Rather, tie the hair up or braid it. 

7. Put your hair up in a loose bun.

Gently brush the hair back to get a low ponytail. Twist the ponytail around itself to form a loose bun.

After this, add a light gel to hold the surface of the hair. Use a silk bandanna or scarf to keep the sleek edges overnight. When you wake up the next morning, you can get a slick and posh look.

Now that you’re aware that sleeping with wet hair isn’t a bad idea, you only need to follow these tips and tricks to maintain your beautiful hair. 

Image Credits: Deposit Photos

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